BMW Cafe Racers - post a pic?

[mattcfish]

Originally Posted by Darbone85737

Brakes and front end (KYB 43mm) are from Kawasaki ZX7R. The exhaust was fabricated from some metal bends and tubing fom a local hot rod shop with megaphones and reverse cones purchased on the internet. The coating is ceramic (Cerakote)

Using anything special on the black engine parts?
Sweet machine.

[bill42]

also to Darbone85737:
Someone had once said that your forks looked low and this would effect clearance and handling.
Did you adjust them? And is the bike still much lower than stock? I would like to hear details of how you feel it handles compared to stock suspension. You say that it handles great. Did you get lucky or are you a master of geometry?
I guess the only problem with it being lower is that when you start to turn more aggressively you might start sanding those black valve covers on the ground...

[Darbone85737]

Originally Posted by mattcfish

Using anything special on the black engine parts?
Sweet machine.

Black is powdercoat. For me it's the only way to go on a motorcycle that actually gets ridden.

[Darbone85737]

Originally Posted by bill42

also to Darbone85737:
Someone had once said that your forks looked low and this would effect clearance and handling.
Did you adjust them? And is the bike still much lower than stock? I would like to hear details of how you feel it handles compared to stock suspension. You say that it handles great. Did you get lucky or are you a master of geometry?
I guess the only problem with it being lower is that when you start to turn more aggressively you might start sanding those black valve covers on the ground...

I've been riding the bike as it is seen. Yes, it's low but I haven't grounded the covers. It handles much more sharply than the stock configuration. I've ridden it up in the mountains fairly aggressively and have no complaints. It turns in nicely and goes where it's pointed. I haven't ridden it at very high speed in straight line conditions yet, mostly as the engine is freshly done. The frame geometry was changed slightly when the bike was built. The rear shock mounting position was changed when the front forks were done. I'm still tuning the suspension. It's fairly stiff in the front and probably needs more damping. On smooth roads it has perfect manners but if the surface gets bumpy it does move around a bit. I'm not a master of anything - just putting one foot in front of the other and learning as I go, but if you don't try you never know.

It's gotten very favorable comments from people who suppose BMWs are meant to be soul less and boring. When it starts there's no doubt it is not your grandpa's BMW. There were a few rivet counters who are shocked I would build this from a numbers matching R90S but this was my desire. All in all I'm thrilled.

[alister102]

Originally Posted by sparkymoto

That last shot is terrific-

[adrenal]

@ alister102

Reeeaal noice alister!
A couple questions if you please:
Those flatslides? Brand? How does it go thru the rev range?
Care to share jetting etc, Done anything else to the engine?

thanks man

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by adrenal

Those flatslides? Brand?

Those are stock bing CV carbs.

[adrenal]

Naaahhh......THIS alister:

Originally Posted by alister102

[alister102]

Originally Posted by adrenal

@ alister102

Reeeaal noice alister!
A couple questions if you please:
Those flatslides? Brand? How does it go thru the rev range?
Care to share jetting etc, Done anything else to the engine?

thanks man

Adrian-

They're mikuni tm 38's. Main jet 210, pilot 15. Can't recall needle jet/needle. Surprising smooth and really kicks in over 4k.

Currently featured on BIKEexif- (Thanks chris!)

http://www.bikeexif.com/cafe-bmw#more-14109

Best,

Aric

[sparkymoto]

Originally Posted by alister102

Currently featured on BIKEexif- (Thanks chris!)
http://www.bikeexif.com/cafe-bmw#more-14109

Congrats. Killer bike!

[alister102]

Thanks man- same to you!

[adrenal]

Thanks aric - an inspiration!

[Toaster.Tan]

Originally Posted by Darbone85737

Finally have it on the road and riding. I've been amazed how well it rides and handles. The time and effort was well spent. I'm loving it, except for the speeding ticket on the first day out :(

YO - Mr. Bone!
When can I come down to see it?! I'm now starting to collect parts for my next project - a Cafe/Bobber cross. Deciding on a mono or duel shock platform. It will also draw me into creating lottsa new custom parts!

[Darbone85737]

If you're around Wednesday night there's a meet of the Tucson Vintage Motorcycle Riders at Barrio Brewing Co http://barriobrewing.com/page/16994-Location . Things get going around 6 or so. Good beer, good food, good motorcycles and pretty cool people. It's a very laid back, unorganized group. First beverage is on me. You can check out some pictures from our last show in April on Yahoo groups- TucsonVintageMC

Larry

Originally Posted by Toaster.Tan

YO - Mr. Bone!
When can I come down to see it?! I'm now starting to collect parts for my next project - a Cafe/Bobber cross. Deciding on a mono or duel shock platform. It will also draw me into creating lottsa new custom parts!

[Toaster.Tan]

Originally Posted by Darbone85737

If you're around Wednesday night there's a meet of the Tucson Vintage Motorcycle Riders at Barrio Brewing Co http://barriobrewing.com/page/16994-Location . Things get going around 6 or so. Good beer, good food, good motorcycles and pretty cool people. It's a very laid back, unorganized group. First beverage is on me. You can check out some pictures from our last show in April on Yahoo groups- TucsonVintageMC

Larry

Dang - that's a 300 mile round robin from Scottsdale. Nocando on a weeknight. I'll ping you off list as I really would like to see it.